My mother went to North Carolina for my Niece's birthday and graduation ceremony. While there she very unexpectidly passed away on my nieces birthday, a week before her graduation. She was the last of my immediate family that still lived here, and my sounding board for all I did in life.

I donít want to have to remember what weíve done together; I want you here to experience the things we do together. There was so much you still wanted to see and do for this to happen now. With your other two grandchildren being 800 miles away from you all their lives, all you really wanted was to watch and help our daughter grow up strong. In the two and a half years our daughter has been here, youíve been the best friend and teacher she will ever know. As she does every time you are out of sight, she misses you and asks where you are. She does not know yet and will not be able to understand that her best friend will never be coming home. Every time she does or says something she learned from you we cry in both joy and sorrow. You never used the hard times in life as an excuse to stop, but rather a reason for going ahead. Iím trying that now, but itís not working so well for me, or any of us.

Hang tough Mike. Your mom was full of life & you can be sure she would want you to move forward and make sure your daughter grows up knowing right from wrong. You'll hurt for a long time but it will be from remembering the good times.